Teacher’s notes | Writing file 3
Learning objectives in this lesson
Discussing if students write letters / emails asking
for information in their job and raising awareness of
words and phrases commonly used when asking for
information. By the end of the lesson, students will
be able to write a letter asking for information using
appropriate language.
1 Ask students to work in pairs and discuss the questions.
They can then share their answers with the rest of the class.
2 Ask students to read the letter and answer questions
1–4. They can then discuss their answers in pairs before
feeding back to the rest of the class.
Answers
1 information on training courses (including dates and prices)
2 because she sent three employees last year and the
feedback was positive
3 training courses in management skills and presentation skills
4 The letter is formal and businesslike. She uses a formal
letter layout and formal words and expressions.
Extra activity
Write the following questions on the board, then discuss
them as a class. The answers are in brackets.
1 If you start a letter with ‘Dear Mr Stuart’, how should you
end the letter? (‘Yours sincerely’)
2 If you start a letter with ‘Dear Sir / Madam’, how should
you end the letter? (‘Yours faithfully’)
3 W hat does the abbreviation ‘Ref: …’ mean? (‘with
reference to’)
4 Does the letter to Mr Moncure look the same as formal letters
written in your language? If not, what is different?
3 Ask students to match the words to the definitions. Then
check their answers as a class.
Answers
1 progress 3 details 5 request
2 skills 4 approximate
4 Ask students to find the phrases in the letter. Then check
their answers as a class.
Answers
1 I am writing to …
2 Please send me …
3 We would like to …
4 I would also like … / Can you also send me …?
5 I look forward to hearing from you.
© Oxford University Press 2009
5 Ask students to work in pairs and complete the
sentences. Answers will vary amongst the class, so allow
some time for discussion and questions during feedback.
Possible answers
a I am writing to request information about the job
advertised in the local newspaper today.
b I would like to receive your latest company brochure.
c Please send me the air tickets for tomorrow.
d Can you email me the sales report?
Extension
Write the following phrases on the board, then use the
notes to explain each phrase. Once you have reviewed
these language points, students can correct any mistakes
they made in 5.
1 I am writing … 3 Please send …
2 I would like … 4 Can you …?
1 I am writing is a good way to begin a letter and is
followed by a to infinitive, e.g. to request.
2 I would like is a formal way to say want. Would is always
followed by the infinitive, e.g. would like.
3 Please + imperative, e.g. Please send …, is quite a direct
request so students need to use it with care.
4 Can you …? is a question and is followed by the
infinitive, e.g. Can you call …?
6 Ask students to write the letter. If time is short, they could
complete it for homework and bring it to the next lesson.
Sample answer
January 31
Ref: Request for information on your conference centre
Dear Sir / Madam
I am writing to request information about your
conference centre. Please send me details of its size,
the number of rooms, and technical facilities.
I would also like information on hotel accommodation
for everyone at the conference and details of restaurant
facilities for meals.
Can you also send me prices and details of any discounts?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
7 Ask students to exchange letters. Make sure you also
read all the letters so that you can provide detailed
feedback. If you have time, you might like to ask students
to reply to each other’s letters.
Business Result Elementary